Blindfold blankets us in darkness yet maintains a surprisingly light body and bold, hoppy character. This black IPA emerged from our Beer Camp program and builds on Sierra Nevada’s legendary love of hops with roasted malts for depth and complexity. Like its namesake, Blindfold is a bit disorienting—the color of a stout and the intense, hop-forward flavors of a classic American IPA.

Reviews by ONUMello:

12oz bottle dated 1/21/14 poured into a pint glassA: Very dark brown with a two-finger tan headS: Roasted malts, a hint of cocoa, some bitter hopsT: Matches the nose, a touch simplistic but very well balancedM: Medium-bodiedO: Solid. Nothing extraordinary but a pleasant tasting balanced beer, focusing more on the malts than this still definitely has the IPA hops (369 characters)

More User Reviews:

12oz bottle poured into a wide flute. The aroma is initially licorice and bakers chocolate, with undertones of sweet citrus Later in the drink, coffee gets added to the mix with a chalkiness, some caramel, and just a touch of wet cardboard. The beer is a rich, oily mahogany with a light brown, frothy dense head that leaves good lace, and has an abundant, but uneven retention. The taste is a medium high, balanced chocolate bittersweet. The texture is smooth with a creamy, foamy head. The medium-full body consists of chocolate brownie, background notes of sweet citrus, and chalk up front, and finishes with a swell of sweet citrus and caramel (in turns), that's quickly replaced by a clean chalk and spice character flavored with coffee and peanut butter. These notes mellow quickly leaving an aftertaste that's chalky, piney, and clean with hints of peanut butter. After a long time, the peanut butter disappears and is replaced by a light, pleasant grapefruit. (967 characters)

BOD 109/14. As advertised, this one pours just like a stout - almost black with a massive head. Lacing and retention are excellent. The nose is more IPA like, pine and floral hops over a light chocolate with roast notes. Medium body with a slick texture that is almost creamy. Below normal carbonation with no effervescence on the finish. The unique flavor profile is quite nice, balanced and complex. It begins with citrus hop, then flows to pine over a light chocolate sweetness. Bitterness follows that is citric rind in nature over a very light smoke from the roast - very well balanced so each component is evident, but not over powering. The smooth finish leaves you with a lingering citric bitterness with a chocolate note. An Outstanding example of the style. (776 characters)

Blindfold is not a big in your face black ipa. It does not contain a huge ABV, no long alcohol finish, no acute hop twinge. What blindfold is a well crafted, well balanced ale. Plenty of roasted malt flavor, but the blend of summit and cascade hops really brings it all together. Really well done! (297 characters)